Love

Love

Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin,
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack'd any thing.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?

Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.

- George Herbert

Today is "Maundy Thursday" - the day when we traditionally recall the night when Jesus ate his last supper with his disciples before his arrest and trial. Since the very earliest times, Christians have gathered to retell the story and share bread and wine in memory of him.

This poem moved me on a very deep level, but it's hard to put my response into words. I tried to, as I read the poem out to D and Daniel, when we shared Bread and Wine together later in the evening, but it didn't quite come out.

Part of it relates to my compassion for those who feel unworthy to "look on thee" because they have "marr'd" their eyes - used them for sinful purposes and desires, instead of being among the 'pure in heart' who will 'see God' as mentioned in Matthew 5:8. But Love gently reproves, not denying the reality of the sin and shame felt, but reminding of 'who bore the blame' so that they too are welcome and worthy to be a guest at the feast. My heart goes out to those dear ones who hold back from the fullness of love God has for them through their shame or feel the only way they can do it is by serving.

But I love the gentle insistence that Love exerts in the end, since nothing else is going to puncture this self-depreciation: "you must sit down , says Love, and taste my meat".

The simplicity of the last line has a force of its own, indicating the final giving up of resistance and pride - "So I did sit and eat." It drew me in and I almost sighed out loud! How it resonates in my soul!

This photo goes with the poem, in that the beauty and simplicity of the white tulips I chose for the table arrangements at BG remind me again of Mum and that Love has welcomed her into the feast of heaven, despite her frequent self-deprecation and lack of self-esteem.